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First Look: Philadelphia's Hottest & Hardest-to-Book Restaurant

Illata 2241 Grays Ferry Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19146 Named one of The New York Times' 25 Best Philly Restaurants last year, this spot is notoriously hard to book — only 10 tables (~30 seats max) and just two servers! 🦪 Mussels – The standout of the night! Fresh, tender mussels with a blended herb purée and a secret chili sauce — slightly sweet, perfectly spicy, and beautifully complements the natural sweetness of the mussels. Only downside: small portion (~8 mussels). We finished it in minutes — and all prior frustration melted away 😌. 🐟 Trout – Okay but not exceptional. Crispy coating, moist inside, but the seasoning leaned salty. The roasted baby potatoes on the side stole the show — carbs forever! Not a must-order. 🦑 Squid – Served under a blanket of frothy white sauce — a flavor surprise! Squid rings were tender yet bouncy, with a subtle sweetness and no fishiness. Perfectly cooked between raw and done. Pickled cabbage and croutons added crunch. Eat it with the foam to balance the saltiness — better than the trout! 🍌 Dessert: Banana Puff – The best cream puff I’ve had in Philly! Rich banana filling, flawlessly baked pastry, espresso-dusted cream, and a touch of sea salt inside for subtle depth. Highly recommend! 🍽️ Portions: Mains are small (we ordered three for two), but desserts are huge. 💰 Price: Around $50 per person — very reasonable for a “best restaurant” contender! Overall, mussels and the banana puff were the stars. Many Yelp reviews rave about a salad we skipped (we’re carnivores 😅), but maybe next time. As diners who don’t often explore Western cuisine, Illata stands out for its perfect execution and creative dishes. If you can snag a reservation — highly recommended! #PhillyArea #PhillyEats #FoodDiary #FoodieLife #FoodReview #100RestaurantsChallenge

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First Look: Philadelphia's Hottest & Hardest-to-Book Restaurant

Illata 2241 Grays Ferry Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19146 Named one of The New York Times' 25 Best Philly Restaurants last year, this spot is notoriously hard to book — only 10 tables (~30 seats max) and just two servers! 🦪 Mussels – The standout of the night! Fresh, tender mussels with a blended herb purée and a secret chili sauce — slightly sweet, perfectly spicy, and beautifully complements the natural sweetness of the mussels. Only downside: small portion (~8 mussels). We finished it in minutes — and all prior frustration melted away 😌. 🐟 Trout – Okay but not exceptional. Crispy coating, moist inside, but the seasoning leaned salty. The roasted baby potatoes on the side stole the show — carbs forever! Not a must-order. 🦑 Squid – Served under a blanket of frothy white sauce — a flavor surprise! Squid rings were tender yet bouncy, with a subtle sweetness and no fishiness. Perfectly cooked between raw and done. Pickled cabbage and croutons added crunch. Eat it with the foam to balance the saltiness — better than the trout! 🍌 Dessert: Banana Puff – The best cream puff I’ve had in Philly! Rich banana filling, flawlessly baked pastry, espresso-dusted cream, and a touch of sea salt inside for subtle depth. Highly recommend! 🍽️ Portions: Mains are small (we ordered three for two), but desserts are huge. 💰 Price: Around $50 per person — very reasonable for a “best restaurant” contender! Overall, mussels and the banana puff were the stars. Many Yelp reviews rave about a salad we skipped (we’re carnivores 😅), but maybe next time. As diners who don’t often explore Western cuisine, Illata stands out for its perfect execution and creative dishes. If you can snag a reservation — highly recommended! #PhillyArea #PhillyEats #FoodDiary #FoodieLife #FoodReview #100RestaurantsChallenge

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